WHL AWARDS AND DRAFT NEXT WEEK; LIVE WEBCAST
The 2011 WHL Awards Luncheon is Wednesday, May 4th as the WHL prepares to honor the best of the 2010-11 regular season. The 2011 WHL Bantam Draft is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th as WHL Clubs replenish their systems with graduating Bantam-aged players. For the first time ever, both of the WHL annual events will be available, free of charge, via LIVE webcast available at http://www.whl.ca/ .
The entire 2011 WHL Awards Luncheon, which is hosted by Rogers Sportsnet’s Peter Loubardias, will be available via webcast, while the first round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft will be streamed online, hosted by Shaw TV’s Joey Kenward.
LIVE Webcasts
WHL Awards Luncheon – Wednesday, May 4 – 12:00pm MT CLICK HERE to watch LIVE
WHL Bantam Draft – Thursday, May 5 – 8:30am MT
2010-11 WHL AWARDS LUNCHEON
The WHL Awards Luncheon, held annually to recognize the WHL’s best performers, will be held in Calgary, AB, in the Palomino Room at the BMO Centre on Wednesday, May 4th.
The list of nominees for the 2011 WHL Awards includes many worthy candidates who enjoyed outstanding performances throughout the 2010-11 WHL regular season, including the two finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, given to the WHL’s Player of the Year
The WHL Eastern Conference finalist is goaltender Darcy Kuemper of the Red Deer Rebels, while the WHL Western Conference finalist is forward Tyler Johnson of the Spokane Chiefs.
Kuemper enjoyed truly dominant campaign for the Red Deer Rebels, leading all WHL goaltenders in every major statistical category. The 20-year-old from Saskatoon, SK, appeared in 62 games for the Rebels, posting a 45-12-3-2 record to go with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage to lead the Rebels to the Central Division title. Kuemper tied a WHL single-season record by posting 13 shutouts during the regular season.
Johnson also enjoyed a terrific season for the Spokane Chiefs, leading all WHL players with 53 goals and finishing second in League scoring with 115 points in 71 games as the Chiefs posted a 48-18-4-2 record and a second-place finish in the U.S. Division. The Husky WHL Player of the Month for December, Johnson recorded at least a point in 57 of the 71 games he played and was one of just two players to crack the 50-goal mark this season..
Among other 2011 WHL Awards nominees are the two finalists Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for the WHL Rookie of the Year. 16-year-old Matt Dumba of the Red Deer Rebels will look to follow Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2010 and become the second consecutive Rebel to win the award, while Portland Winterhawks’ 17-year-old Swiss star Sven Bartschi will try and cap an outstanding first year in the WHL with the Jim Piggott Memorial trophy.
The 2011 WHL Awards Luncheon will also see the presentation of the Bob Clarke Trophy for the WHL’s regular-season scoring leader to Medicine Hat Tigers star Linden Vey. The Wakaw, SK, product and Los Angeles Kings prospect led the WHL in scoring with 116 points on 46 goals and 70 assists in 69 games during the 2010-11 WHL regular season, and became the first member of the Tigers to claim the WHL scoring title since Tom Lysiak accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons in 1971-72 and ‘72-73.
Over the years, the WHL has presented awards to many players who have gone on to stardom in the NHL and in international play.
Past winners of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy include current NHL stars Cam Ward (Red Deer Rebels, 2003-04), Dan Hamhuis (Prince George Cougars, 2001-02) and Jarome Iginla (Kamloops Blazers, 1995-96), and NHL legends such as Joe Sakic (Swift Current Broncos, 1986-87 & 1987-88), Mike Vernon (Calgary Wranglers, 1981-82 & 1982-83), Bryan Trottier (Lethbridge Broncos, 1974-75) and Bobby Clarke (Flin Flon Bombers, 1968-69). Last year’s winner, Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats, just finished his rookie season in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers.
2011 WHL BANTAM DRAFT
The Western Hockey League will conduct its annual Bantam Draft on Thursday, May 5th, in the Palomino Room at the BMO Centre in Calgary, AB.
The WHL Bantam Draft is the first opportunity for WHL Clubs to replenish their systems with graduating Bantam-aged players. The order of selection for the first round of the draft is determined through a weighted lottery consisting of the six non-playoff teams. The draft order is based on the inverse overall standings from the regular season.
The 2011 WHL Bantam Draft will see the Calgary Hitmen select first overall. It marks the first time since their inaugural Bantam Draft that the Hitmen will have the first overall pick.
Players eligible for the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft will be 1996-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
2011 WHL BANTAM DRAFT 1st ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION
Following is the order of selection for the 1st round of the WHL Bantam Draft:
1. Calgary Hitmen
2. Swift Current Broncos
3. Lethbridge Hurricanes (From Regina)
4. Kamloops Blazers
5. Lethbridge Hurricanes
6. Seattle Thunderbirds
7. Everett Silvertips
8. Prince Albert Raiders
9. Edmonton Oil Kings
10. Prince George Cougars
11. Brandon Wheat Kings
12. Victoria
13. Swift Current Broncos (From Kootenay/Vancouver)
14. Moose Jaw Warriors
15. Kelowna Rockets
16. Regina Pats (From Tri-City)
17. Kootenay Ice
18. Medicine Hat Tigers
19. Spokane Chiefs
20. Vancouver Giants (From Portland)
21. Red Deer Rebels
22. Brandon Wheat Kings (From Saskatoon)
2nd ROUND AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS ORDER OF SELECTION
Following is the order of selection for the 2nd and all subsequent rounds of the WHL Bantam Draft:
(Please note that traded picks are not indicated)
1) Calgary Hitmen
2) Swift Current Broncos
3) Regina Pats
4) Lethbridge Hurricanes
5) Seattle Thunderbirds
6) Kamloops Blazers
7) Everett Silvertips
8) Prince Albert Raiders
9) Edmonton Oil Kings
10) Prince George Cougars
11) Brandon Wheat Kings
12) Victoria
13) Vancouver Giants
14) Moose Jaw Warriors
15) Kelowna Rockets
16) Tri-City Americans
17) Kootenay Ice
18) Medicine Hat Tigers
19) Spokane Chiefs
20) Portland Winterhawks
21) Red Deer Rebels
22) Saskatoon Blades
